Delia Veschi-Barrera

Delia has been a member of Holy Apostles for four years. Her family has an Orthodox heritage, but it's the richness of liturgical tradition and history that has kept her an active member of the Church in every place she's lived. She, along with her husband Paul and his children Christopher, Nicholas, and Madeline have become a cherished part of the Holy Apostles family. Holy Apostles was the first Orthodox church Delia visited while exploring the Seattle area, and she immediately felt at home through the genuine effort the parish puts into making the community feel like family.

As a wellness consultant specializing in yoga, mindfulness, and meditation, Delia loves to help create peaceful, safe environments that allow others to disconnect from their worldly cares. Her professional calling is deeply informed by her Orthodox faith; she finds strength in remembering that "God has it" and focusing on what she can control while praying for His will to be done. This perspective has been shaped by extraordinary life experiences. Delia is a disabled US Army combat veteran, and survived two separate accidents with tractor trailers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike—one in 2000 that nearly took her life, and another in 2020. These experiences have deepened her understanding of divine providence and the importance of surrendering to God's will.

Delia's motivation for serving on the parish council stems from her desire to share her time and talents within the parish community. Beyond council service, she contributes through Coffee Hour, OCMC support, and Family Outreach. What excites her most about Holy Apostles' future is the continual growth within the parish and the way the community keeps adding members through ministry and outreach.

Outside of church and work, Delia loves the outdoors and has set a goal to visit every National Park at least once in her life. Her patron saint is St. Emmelia, and she finds particular inspiration in St. Seraphim of Sarov and his communion with animals. Her combination of wellness expertise, commitment to mindful service, and deep appreciation for Orthodox tradition makes her a thoughtful and dedicated leader in our parish community.